Cases by region: Dozens of COVID-19 cases recorded in Melbourne’s west
Coronavirus cases in Melbourne’s west have hit triple figures as the amount of people contracting the virus slows across the state. See the breakdown in your area.
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One hundred people have now contracted coronavirus in Melbourne’s western suburbs as the number of community transmissions continues to rise across the state.
The latest Victorian Department of Health and Human Services data, released today, reveals there are 100 confirmed cases in the city’s west.
Thirty-two people in Brimbank have tested positive for the virus, while 27 people are sick in Wyndham, 18 in Melton, 13 in Hobsons Bay and 10 in Maribyrnong.
Two people in Melton and one in Footscray have also been fined $1652 for breaching the directive to stay at home without a valid reason.
A total of 1291 cases have been confirmed across Victoria, as of Monday, with 672 men and 619 women contracting the virus.
Fourteen people have also died from the virus in Victoria, while 40 are currently in hospital with COVID-19, with 15 of those in intensive care. 1118 people have recovered.
Victoria’s testing criteria for COVID-19 has also been broadened to include people whose employment and contact with the broader public may place them at higher risk of exposure to any virus which maybe circulating in the community.
If someone in childcare and early childhood education, primary or secondary schools, firefighters who are emergency medical responders and people aged 65 years and older displays clinical symptoms – a fever or acute respiratory infection – they will now be tested. for COVID-19.
“The number of community acquired cases contracted from an unknown source are continuing to rise – the expansion of the testing criteria will allow us to get a clearer picture of how much the virus is circulating,” Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said.
It comes as viral clusters form in Melbourne’s most affluent areas.
Sunshine Hospital, Djerriwarrh Health Services in Melton, the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Royal Melbourne Hospital are the closest testing centres for those living in the west.
The assessment clinic at Sunshine Hospital is open from 10am to 10pm.
Western Health chief executive Russell Harrison said they would leave “no stone unturned” as they prepare for difficult days ahead with the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We will get through this together with our wonderful and committed staff and with the support of the patients and communities we serve,” he said in a statement posted on Western Health’s Facebook page.
The organisation has drastically changed its visitor policy across its sites in response to the outbreak, with patients only allowed one visitor per day, no visitors aged under 16 permitted and the screening of visitors on arrival, including temperature checks.
Visitors are also no longer allowed in intensive care units.
“You can be assured that these measures are intended to protect your loved ones as much as they are designed to protect the health of our patients and staff,” Mr Harrison said.
A Department of Health and Human Services spokesman said Victoria had established screening and assessment clinics across Melbourne and regional Victoria to test as many people as possible.
“And our world-class hospitals stand ready to establish more as required,” he said.
“We’re working closely with the Commonwealth Government to ensure GPs are also supported in providing advice and screening to potential COVID-19 patients.”
Professor Sutton said the message was clear: “if you can stay home, you must stay home.”
“Social distancing will save lives. Everyone needs to comply with restrictions in place to keep yourself, your loved ones and the whole community safe,” Prof Sutton said.
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